Her love for her unborn baby knew no bounds, which became clear when Yuanyuan was diagnosed with uterine cancer (the sixth-most common cancer in women). Instead of saving her own life and treating the cancer with chemotherapy, she opted out of it to protect her baby. This caused the cancer, already in the late stages, to spread.

She gave birth to son Niannian via C-section in September, two months ahead of his due date. He was a scant 3.3 pounds. No longer pregnant, she underwent surgery for the removal of her tumor and to start treatment. The tumor had grown past the point of being able to be taken out, so she still underwent chemotherapy for 20 days, until doctors advised her not to continue since the cancer had become too strong.

Shortly after enjoying a feast in honor of her son's 100th day alive, a milestone widely celebrated in China, she passed away at home. She's survived by her newborn and her husband, who told the Morning Post, "She chose to save our child; she understood that not everything in life can be perfect…And she said she had never regretted her decision."

Do you think she did the right thing?

Photo by Getty Images

Marlisse CepedaWeb EditorMarlisse is the Web Editor of WomansDay.com, and she hails from Bronx, NY.

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